Grasshoppers in Our Own Sight

Cancer threatens to appear as terrifying and taunting to us as the people living in Canaan appeared to Joshua, Caleb and the other spies. I read and reread this account from Numbers 13. The life lessons in this passage of Scripture are rich and current. They are inspiring and encouraging. They should serve as a lesson to all of us about fear and bad reports. Never should we place more importance on circumstances surrounding us than the Word of God.

I pray for my faith to be increased. I pray for my eyes to focus only on the strength and promises of God and not on the bad reports and circumstances surrounding me. Increased faith flattens fear. Increased faith tramples threats.

God Himself had spoken to these men and given them their marching orders. They were to go survey the land of Canann (that had been promised by God to them) and return with a report. In Verse 1 we read that God has already promised this land to the children of Israel. You might say, it was a done deal. Although this land was already Promised, Moses gave specific details of what the spies should look for on their journeys: Are the people weak or strong? Are they few or many? Is the land good or bad? Are they living in camps or strongholds? Is the land rich or poor? And he also tossed in a reminder to return with some of the fruit of the land.

As this account unfolds, the reader notes that the spies cut down one bunch of grapes but had to tote it back, hauled between poles carried by two men. Now those would be some genetically altered grapes! These gigantic grapes were certain to frighten the Israelites.

The spies return with their reports. They verify that the land is flowing with milk and honey just as God had promised. Then the reader encounters the word NEVERTHELESS ..... but ..... however – the stumbling adverb that raises the red flag to the reader and alerts us that something contrary to God’s promises is about to be spoken: “Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there."

Just as suddenly as the reports of man were rattled off to the children of Israel, Caleb spoke faith-filled words with confidence:“Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome.”

Circumstances and fear dominated the rest of the men’s words and deeds. They were entirely focused on the natural aspects of this situation – how strong the men were, how numerous the men were, they were not recalling that God had already promised this land to them – it was theirs to possess. Nothing would be impossible for God to achieve. Their knees trembled and their hearts hardened with fear and trepidation.

Then Verse 33 offers us one of the most enlightening quotes in Scripture. “There we saw the giants and we were LIKE GRASSHOPPERS IN OUR OWN SIGHT and so we were in their sight.”

The children of Israel had passed through the Red Sea and been delivered over and over by the mighty hands of God Almighty. Yet, when they allowed fear to focus their attention on the size of the inhabitants of Canaan and not the size and power of Almighty God, fear paralyzed them. Fear made them perceive themselves as grasshoppers rather than the Children of the Living God. And this verse also adds the important conclusion, “…and so we were in their sight”. Not only had the Children of Israel diminished their power and position but their fear also diminished their power and position in the eyes of their enemies.

Do you ever stop to meditate on how much fear is associated with cancer? A nationwide telephone survey questioned adult Americans. These participants were asked if they feared one disease more than any other, and 44 percent said yes. Of those, 48 percent cited AIDS and 47 percent named cancer.

A cancer diagnosis is often partnered with fear on the part of the patient and the family. Predictions about outcomes and survival statistics can consume a cancer patient if not balanced by the Word of God and His promises. We read this Biblical account in Numbers and marvel at the doubt and fear expressed by the Isrealites. Yet, are we no different?

God has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. He promises that by his stripes we are healed. As believers, we have the eternal guarantee of Heaven if our enemy (giants or leukemia) should threaten to overcome us. Let us walk in faith, perceiving ourselves as the Children of God -- not as victims of cancer, poverty, abuse, or other giants that we encounter. Let us never forget that as we perceive ourselves, so others will perceive us. Are we going to be victorious champions over life's giants or are we going to be squashed underfoot as a timid grasshopper?